Vacuum shuttle-operating mechanism for looms.



Y H. H. KELLEY. VACUUM SHUTTLEOPERATING MECHANISM FOR LO0MS..

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3|. I9l6.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET L H. H. KELLEY, VACUUM SHUTTLE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR LOOMSQ APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1916.

mmm Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

awe/whom H. H. KELLEY. VACUUM SHUTTLE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 31' 1916.

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HARR- H. KELLEY, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

VACUUM SHUTTLE-OPERATING MECHANISM FOR LOOIVIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1th., 1917.

Application filed March 31, 1916. Serial No. 88,101.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l T'TARRY H. KELLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented certain ew and useful Improvements in Vacuum Shuttle- Uperating Mechanism for Looms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in shuttle operating mechanism tor-looms.

The object of the invention is to provide means for throwing the shuttle by a vacuum created by means of mechanism operated from and by the loom parts.

' A. further object of the invention is to simplify the construction to insure reduction of friction to a minimum, whereby the shuttle will be quickly thrown without undue vibration of the associated mechanism.

t is of the utmost importance in mechanism of this type that the arrangement of parts be such hat when the shuttle is thrown, the movement of the lay and the harness be maintained against undue vibr: tion. With this end in view the construction of the vacuum forming means is such that all shocks are avoided, which results in the steady and regular movement of the lay and the harness. I

The invention comprehends improvements in he details of construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention applied.

Fig. 2 is a side view of same.

3 is a detail front elevation of one of the shuttle throwing devices.

4 is a. horizontal section of the same.

F 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic views illustrating; the movement of the parts.

Fig. 8 is an end view of one of the cylinders.

Fig. 9 is a detail vertical section of the end of the same.

Fig. 10 is a detail section of the coupling between the ends of the reciprocating rod.

1 indicates the frame of a loom or ordinary construction, and 2, a power shaft having mounted thereon a gear wheel 3. ltleshing with the gear wheel 3, is a pinion 4, mounted on a crank shaft 5.

6 indicates a lay, pivotally mounted in the frame at 7, and operatively connected to the cranks on the shaft 5, by pitmen 8. The lay is slotted at its ends at 10, and to the under side of the lay and ad1acent each slot is a bearing 11, which supports the vacuum forming means. As this means is the same on both sides of the lay, it will be sutlicient to describe butone.

Slidably supported in the bearing 11, is a cylinder 18, closed at its outer end by a threaded head 14, formed with an opening 15, surrounded by a valve seat 16, the cylinder forming a shuttle driving element. Fitting in the seat is a valve 17, the outer end oi which is st addled by the bifurcated end. of a flat spring 18, fastened to the head at 19. The purpose of this valve is to seal the cylinder when the piston moves in one direction, and to vent the cylinder when the piston moves in the opposite direction to relieve the pressure, as will be hereinafter explained. The inner end of the cylinder is closed by a head 20, formed with a central opening 21, throu h which passes a piston rod 22, common to the cylinders on opposite sides of the lay. On each end of the piston rod is a piston 23, operating in the respective cylinders.

The inner end of the cylinder 13, slides in a hollow bearing 25, fastened to the un- I der side of the lay and closed at its inner end, save for an opening 26, for the piston rod 22. Adjacent the closed end of this bearing are air inlet openings 27, and a vent 28, regulated by a screw 29.

' A clamp 30 is secured to the cylinder 18, and it is provided with lateral ears 31, between which is pivoted a lever 32. The inner end of this lever is pivoted to a sec ond lever 33, and the inner end of the latter lever is pivoted to ears 34-, extending laterally from the hollow bearing 25. The pivots ot the respective levers, when the latter are in horizontal position, are in alincment, the said levers obviously forming a toggle connection between the cylinder and the hollow hearing. The inner end of the lever is provided with a lateral extension to form a trip 35, to break the toggle connection, as will presently appear.

From the clamp 30. extends an arm 30 which projects through the opening in the lay, and carries at its upper end a head 30", to engage the shuttle.

On the piston rod 22, adjacent each cylinder, is a bracket 36, and extending outwardly therefrom is a rod 37, provided with two flanges 38 and 39.

The piston rod 22 is made in two sections 4:0 I0, threaded at their inner ends and connected by a coupling 11, and depending from the coupling is a stud 4.8, on which is mounted a radius bar 44, pivoted at its outer end to one arm 45, of a bell crank lever 46, pivoted on a bracket extending from the loom frame. To the other arm 47, of the bell crank lever, and connected by auniversal joint 48, is an eccentric rod 49, the outer end of which encircles an eccentric 50, mounted on the power shaft 2.

In operation, the crank shaft 5, oscillates the lay in the usual manner, and timed to operate in conjunction with the lay, the eccentric 50 actuates the bell crank lever 46, and reciprocates the piston rod 22. The universal joint readily accommodates for the slight difference in movement between the eccentric and the bell crank lever, this element being necessary because of the relative location of the pivotal axis of the moving parts. As the radius rod and the lay move simultaneously, and in different paths, it is of the utmost importance that the parts be so arranged as to prevent the arcuate movement of the stud and radius bar acting unduly on the piston rod to prevent binding of the parts. To this end it has been found advantageous to place the bell crank lever on one side of the frame and the opposite pivot of the radius bar as close to the opposite side of the loom as possible. This permits of the use of a radius bar of considerable length, the result being the arcuate path of move ment of the pivot is such that the slight longitudinal movement of the piston in no way binds the parts or otherwise affects the operation of the mechanism.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 5, that is, the piston rod has been moved to the left by the eccentric and the right hand cylinder 7), under the influence of the partial vacuum, has been thrown to the left. Through the medium of the head 30*, carried by cylinder Z), the shuttle 02, has been thrown across the lay to the head 30 carried by the left hand cylinder ct, the latter being now locked by the toggle connection, preparatory to the formation of a partial vacuum upon the next movement of the piston rod.

Upon movement of the piston rod in the direction of the arrow 2, the piston in cylinder Z), moves the latter outwardly to operative position, while the piston in cylinder (4, acts to form a partial vacuum in said cylinder. As this movement continues, the toggle levers associated with the cylinder 5, are being straightened out to lock the cylinders for future operation.

About the time the parts reach the position shown in Fig. 6, the flange 38, on the rod 37, contacts with the trip 35, of the toggle levers associated with cylinder at, and the partial vacuum quickly throws the cylinder a to the right, and through the medium of its head 30 the shuttle is thrown across the lay, the parts then assuming the position shown in Fig. 6. At the time the trip is engaged to release cylinder (4, flange 39 on the rod 37, on the right hand side of the piston rod contacts with trip 35, of cylinder 1), and straightens out the toggle levers and locks said cylinder against movement, as shown in Fig. 7.

At the time the pistons move the cylinders outwardly to locked position, air rushes into the cylindrical bearings through the openings 27, the contained air acting as a cushion in the subsequent operation of the cylinders.

As the cylinder rapidly moves in the hollow hearing, it compresses the air, and in time the openings 27 are closed and the cushion of air betweenthe heads of the cylinder, and air absorbs the shock. The cushioning effect is regulated by adjusting the screw 29, so that the jar on the operating parts of the loom is reduced to a minimum.

If perchance air should accumulate in the cylinders, the valve 17 will open upon each reciprocation of the piston rod, hence the pistons will expel the air through the valve openings, and thereby prevent interference of the formation of the'subsequent partial vacuum.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I have provided mechanism which, because of the simplicity and ar rangement of the parts, the shuttle can be quickly thrown across the lay, and that fric ti on is reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, because of the toggle locks cooperating with the cylinders, the latter are positively held in position pending release to obtain the effect and force of the blow on the shuttle.

Another important result is accomplished by the construction described in that the cyl- L inders are released to act on the shuttle during the formation of the partial vacuum. In other words the partial vacuum is not formed in the cylinders and held pending a subsequent operation. The effect is the en-' tire motive power of the vacuum is utilized without liability of leakage.

WVhat I claim is 1. In a loom, the combination of a lay, shuttle throwing mechanism including a pair of oppositely mounted slidable cylinders, pistons mounted to operate in the cylinders, a rod connecting the pistons, means associated with each cylinder to lock same in set position, and operating means for operating the pistons to simultaneously set one cylinder and lock same and form a partial vacuum in the companion locked cylinder and release the lock controlling the latter cylinder to throw the shuttle across the lay.

2. In a loom, the combination oi frame, a lay, partial vacuum shuttle throwing mechanism carried by the lay including a reciprocating piston rod and slidable cylinders, means for locking each cylinder, a

)OWGL shaft mounted in the frame and a l system of levers between the shaft and the piston rod for operating the latter to simuL taneously slide one cylinder to set position and lock same and to unlock the oth r cylinder and form a partial vacuum therein.

8. In a loom, the combination of a frame, a lay, a reciprocating piston rod mounted on the lay, a piston on each opposite end of the piston rod, a pair of slidable cylinders mounted. on the lay, and in which the pistons operate, hollow cylindrical bearings in which the ends of the cylinders engage to cushion said cylinders, means controlled. by the movement of the piston rod for locking one cylinder in operative position and releasing the opposite cylinder to permit a partial vacuum formed therein to throw a shuttle across the lay, and means for continuously reciprocating the piston rod.

4. In a loom, the combination of a lay, partial vacuum forming means at the opposite ends of the lay to throw the shuttle across said lay, including a reciprocating piston rod, a lock for each partial vacuum forming means, and trip rods carried by the piston rod, each trip rod having two flanges to cooperate wit-h the adjacent lock, and means for reciprocating the piston rod, each movement of the latter setting one cylinder and the trip locking same and simultaneously forming a vacuum in the other cylinder and actuating the trip releasing same to throw the cylinder.

5. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a pair of slidable cylinders oppositely mount ed on the lay, a shuttle engaging head extending from each cylinder, a hollow cylindrical bearing in which the end of each cylinder slides, said cylindrical bearing having openings and forming a cushion for the cylinder, a valve in the end of each cylinder, a piston in each cylinder, a rod connectingthe two pistons, toggle levers between the respective cylinder and its hollow cylindrical bearing, means carried by the piston rod for setting one set of toggle levers to lock one cylinder and. to release the other set of toggle levers to permit a partial vacuum in the cylinder to throw the shuttle across the lay, and means for reciprocating the piston rod.

6. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a substantially closed slidable cylinder mounted on the lay, a valve in one end of the cylinder, a shuttle engaging head extending from the cylinder, a hollow cylindrical stationary bearing mounted on the lay adjacent the inner end of the cylinder, said bearing having a plurality of openings located adjacent one end, a regulatable vent formed in the said bearing, a piston operating in the cylinder, togglelevers between the cylnder and the bearing, one of said levers having a trip, a reciprocating rod, a trip rod carried by the reciprocating rod and provided with two trips, and means for re ciprocating the rod, whereby upon one movement thereof the piston slides the cylinder and one of the trips sets the toggle and locks said cylinder in operative position, and

whereby upon rev .rse movement of said rod the piston forms a partial vacuum in the cylinder and beiore completion of same the other trip on the trip rod releases the toggle lever and the partial vacuum acting in the cylinder throws the shuttle across the lay.

7. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a piston. and a cylinder mounted on the lay, means for creating relative movement between said piston and said cylinder to form a partial vacuum, toggle levers for locking the parts during formation of the partial vacuum, one of said levers having a trip, a reciprocating trip rod having two trips and movable with the parts during the formation of the vacuum, one of said trips cooperating with the trip on the lever and releasing the parts in one movement of the rod and the other said trip on the rod engaging the trip on the lever in the next movement of said rod to effect locking of the l vers.

S. In a loom, the combination of a frame, a lay, means at each end of the lay for forming a partial vacuum including a re ciprocating rod common to both said. means, a lock for each of said means, a bell crank lever pivoted to the frame, a rod pivoted to the bell crank lever and to the reciprocating rod and movable with the lay,

and means for operating the bell crank lever to move the rod to simultaneousl set one of the locks for the subsequent formation of a partial vacuum in the vacuum forming means associated therewith, and release the other lock for the release of the partial vacuum forming means associated therewith to throw the shuttle across the lay.

9. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a

shuttle throwing device at each end of the lay, each device comprising two elements, one fitting within the other and one being operated by a partial vacuum, a rod extend ing between the two shuttle throwing devices, a locking means for each element of the shuttle throwing devices operated by a partial vacuum, means operated by the rod for releasing the locking means of one of the shuttle throwing devices to permit the vacuum to operate one of the elements to throw a shuttle across the lay, and simultaneously setting and locking the shuttle throwing device at the opposite end of the lay for the next subsequent operation of the shuttle, and means for operating the rod.

10. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a shuttle throwing device at each end of the lay, each shuttle throwing device including two elements fitting one within the other, one mechanically operated and the other operated by a partial vacuum, a rod connecting the mechanically operated elements, a locking device for holding the elements operated by a vacuum, means operated by each movement of the rod for simultaneously releasing the locking device to cause the vacuum operated element to throw a shuttle across the lay and to set the other locking device in locked position to set the vacuum operated element associated therewith to form a partial vacuum for subse quently throwing the shuttle across the lay in the opposite direction, and means for operating the rod.

11. A shuttle throwing mechanism comprising duplicate devices located opposite each, each device comprising a cylinder, a piston operating in the cylinder, a cushion for each cylinder, and a lock for locking the cylinder in set position during the formation of a partial vacuum between the cylinder and piston, and means interposed between the two pistons to cause same to be simultaneously moved, devices operated by said means for simultaneously releasing the lock of one of the devices to free the cylinder associated therewith and setting the companion lock to hold the companion cylinder in locked position for a subsequent operation.

12. In a loom, the combination of a lay, a partial vacuum forming means at each opposite end of the lay, means for alternately locking and releasing each partial vacuum forming means, and a reciprocating rod carrying devices for simultaneously releasing one locking means to throw a shuttle across the lay and to set the other locking means during the formation of a subsequent partial vacuum for throwing the shuttle in the opposite direction.

13. In shuttle throwing mechanism, the combination of a shuttle driving element operated by a partial vacuum, means for holding the shuttle driving element in set position, means when moved in one direction acting on the shuttle driving element to move same to setting position and when moved in the opposite direction forming a partial vacuum in the driving element and releasing the holding means to cause said driving element to throw the shuttle.

1a. In a loom, the combination of a lay, shuttle throwing devices at opposite ends of the lay, each shuttle throwing device including a shuttle driving element operated by a partial vacuum, means for holding each shuttle driving element in set position, setting means interposed between and common to both shuttle driving elements, the setting means in its movement in one direction engaging and moving one shuttle driving element to set position and causing same to he held and forming a partial vacuum in the other shuttle driving element and releasing the holding means of the latter to cause said partial vacuum to throw the shuttle across the lay.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY H. KELLEY. Witnesses O. A. SHARrLEss, W. E. Cooonnn;

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

